Argentina vs Canada prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: Copa América betting tips on match 2024-06-20 00:00.
[p]Eyes across the footballing world will turn to witness the opening game of 2024’s USA-held Copa América, in which current holders and World champions Argentina face off against Canada. Not only are Argentina dominant on the global stage, they are also irresistible across the Americas, with a joint-record 15 Copa América titles ahead of their 44th appearance in the tournament since its 1916 inception – another record. [/p]
[p]Boss Lionel Scaloni has unsurprisingly picked an imposing squad ahead of their title defence, which includes Lionel Messi, who could be appearing at his last Copa América tournament. If it is, he’ll hope to sign off by helping his side to back-to-back Copa América titles, and given Argentina enter this clash on the back of seven straight unbeaten games at the tournament (W6, D1) and haven’t lost against North American opposition since 2004, they look good value to make a strong start. [/p]
[p]Given the change of rules which allows more than just CONMEBOL nations to enter the Copa América, Canada finally get their first shot at glory in this tournament, albeit in a game that will likely be a baptism of fire for Jesse Marsch’s men. The American coach is yet to see his side score a goal in the infancy of his reign (D1, L1), although both of those games came against top-ten FIFA ranked nations, France and the Netherlands. [/p]
[p]Whilst their squad isn’t as star-studded as their opponents’, Canada have notable inclusions in their squad in the form of Bayern’s Alphonso Davies and Lille’s Jonathan David, which should at least give Argentina something to think about. Playing against top class opponents is something Canada will have to get used to as a co-host of the upcoming World Cup, although their route to get to this stage was via a 2-0 win against much lesser opponents, Trinidad & Tobago.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Julián Álvarez played just 34 minutes of Argentina’s last Copa América campaign, but he followed that up by cementing his place in the side with four goals in seven World Cup appearances on the way to becoming a world champion. Trying to outdo him will be Canada’s Cyle Larin, the man who set them on their way to this tournament with the decisive goal in their play-off game, while he also made goal contributions in two of the three internationals prior to Marsch’s arrival as manager (G1, A1). [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Argentina have scored before half-time in their last eight Copa América tournament games. [/p]